Re: Re: Re: Need info on Buescher Helicon


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Posted by art on July 04, 2001 at 23:41:55:

In Reply to: Re: Re: Need info on Buescher Helicon posted by Bryan Cass on July 03, 2001 at 12:31:22:

It was never an Eb or F tuba, but it may have been originally a high-pitch BBb instrument, close to B natural. Jaffe's leadpipe went down to the main tuning slide, looping below and around the valves, like yours. But your valve configuration is different from mine and Jaffe's, however. On ours the second valve tubing went down instead of up. That design gives a more compact valve cluster, less likely to be damaged, but more likely to collect water. I suspect yours is a more modern design, more similar to Conns and Kings. Anyway, your goal is not to restore the instrument to what it once was, but rather to make it comfortable and playable at modern pitch. Add a few inches to the leadpipe at the swivel point. Then remove whatever is necessary from the tuning slide extension. If it plays well, then think about getting the leadpipe plated.


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